Straight from the pen: Debbie

Saturday morning. I wake up and look in my IkPas app. It's really there: we are only 3 days into it! Frowning, I realize that I already find it more difficult not to drink than in the previous IkPas period. After some thought, the reason for this is quite logical: Carnival. This year Bas and I were once again old-fashioned 'to carry around'. Our 14 year old son managed just fine with a sleepover and his Playstation. We were therefore largely able to make our own plans. Delicious, timeless enjoyment.

This IkPas period starts immediately after the 5 carefree days in Oeteldonk. So that's a switch. The first few days are going well. During a dinner with my family on Thursday I easily stay 0.0. An alcohol-free birthday party with friends on Friday is no problem at all for me. It strikes me that I eat extra snacks during dinner as 'compensation' ...

So far so good. But then the weekend. We have no appointments and decide to walk to the village on Saturday afternoon. Because we have only just moved here – and the weather is bad – we quickly dive into a new bar for us. This is my dreaded moment of temptation. During the walking tour I already ordered a Leffe blond (a few times!) in my mind, but once we are seated I still ask about the options for an alcohol-free beer. I order one of those. The nuts are on the table, the good conversation too, and before I know it it's time for the next order. Just the same drink again. I notice that now that we are sitting here and I still have a nice drink, I have less trouble drinking alcohol-free. Even though I almost only see people around me with a glass of wine or beer.

Saturday night. We enjoy it even further with a board full of snacks. Sausages, cheeses, baguettes, toasts ... and Ice Tea green. I was also looking forward to this moment. And here too, the beginning is the hardest part to get through.

Sunday. I wake up fresh and fruity. Always a great experience. While I'm waiting for Niels to wake up – we're going for a run together – I'm planning my meals for the coming week. I have a lot of appointments outside the house, and because of the distance of an assignment on Wednesday, I sleep nearby. Because I know how intensive all this is, I want to prepare well. I take my own food with me and thus avoid the temptation to drink a glass of wine with dinner after a long and tiring day 'because I have earned it and don't have to drive anymore'. My hiking boots come with me too, as an extra encouragement to start the day with a breath of fresh air. Something that is also a lot easier and more pleasant without than with a glass of wine the previous evening.

Fast forward to today, Friday. I can indeed look back on a busy week. Thanks to the cups of tea instead of beer and wine I still feel fresh and fruity. I am very happy with that; it makes resisting the temptations worth it. But I recognized myself way too well in the newsletter of day 8: the tendency to eat extra sweets and other comfort foods. This is absolutely not the intention! I just want to 'fit' off a few kilos for the summer. With few appointments outside the door, I can pay close attention to that in the coming week. Just take a deep breath.